awhitleycrew

I'm not looking at adding an additional person, just don't have the name down for one of the guests. 🙂

I was thinking up until final payment seemed reasonable. I'm pretty certain who will be going BUT I also thought that the last time! ha I was able to get back 75% of that $250 because I had bought Carnival's insurance ahead of time but since I repurchased it for the new person going it didn't really help that much. I just hate having to call to use these AARP gift cards because they ask me every time don't I want to buy the insurance (I haven't on this one yet but might still, haven't decided) and if I want to add that name. I know, it's their script, but it still gets old. ha

We have a cruise booked in late May with final payment due March 11 (2 cabins). In one of the cabins we have my husband and Guest 2 is still TBA. This person will be my college age daughter's "friend". I haven't put a name down yet because last year her boyfriend and her broke up (as in no longer speaking at all) and we wound up paying $250 to change the name since it was past final payment and was a 7 day cruise. I was on the phone with a Carnival rep yesterday (who was hard to understand) because I was paying on the cruise with a couple of AARP gift cards that wouldn't load online and she asked if I was ready to add that name and I said not yet. I then asked her when I had to have that name in and she said right away because it could be canceled at anytime because I don't have a name there. Has anyone heard of this? I was thinking probably before final payment but now I'm guessing I should do this soon. Thanks for any input.

I called Carnival this weekend because I had bought a couple of AARP gift cards and as has happened the last couple of times they wouldn't apply online but worked fine when I called and had an agent enter the information for me. I asked about getting the one upgrade offer that I would take if they offered for the other and the lady was like well maybe you will get lucky later on?!? Maybe I should call back tomorrow if it doesn't expire and ask another agent. ha I just purchased more gift cards tonight and I don't think they are applying so I probably have to call anyway.

We have 2 cabins booked for May and are trying to save money by staying on Deck 2 for the first time with an OV suite and an interior. I actually got a good offer this week to move from the OV to Deck 6 balcony in an area we like for just $90 BUT it's only for that cabin. I have no desire to move one cabin to another deck so I will have to decline. If they made an offer for both I would take it!

Yes, I've decided spending extra money to chase after deposits isn't worth it (time, hassle, actual money involved, etc). I'm not going to lose that much in the end regardless so it is what it is at this point. haha

Thanks for explaining how that worked for you. I'm hoping at least some of ours will come back as future cruise credit. I haven't cancelled quite yet but probably will be in the next week or so.

I'm not trying to commit insurance fraud, that's for sure! Just trying to see what all of my options are. It wouldn't really help me anyway so not going to bother even trying. I think I am going to reach out to a PVP and see if they can help, not cheat the system but figure out my best option. Thanks

For those that were charged the $50 per person and got the rest in FCC do you remember what type rate code you booked under? I am looking at cancelling 2 cabins, one apparently under a casino rate and the other Early Savers. One shows losing $198 and the other $250. I would love to get some of it back in FCC versus just losing it all. haha

Of course the more I think about it I don't think it makes sense because I'm having to pay more money to get some back haha

Ok, we have a cruise booked for 2 cabins leaving June 30. Final payment is due April 1st and so far I've only paid the deposits. Long story short we need to cancel this booking and rebook for different dates due to work issues for 2 in our party. I called Carnival last night to confirm I couldn't just change dates without losing the deposits and of course we can't. One rep I spoke to mentioned if I had the Carnival insurance I could use it to get 75% of the deposits back in future cruise credits. I had to use this insurance this summer for a name change and did get 75% back in cruise credit but it took several phone calls and was a hassle BUT it is a way to try and get some of this money back. It is still showing available to purchase and I'm wondering if I should go ahead and buy it now and try to use it soon to cancel. My fear is there is a time frame where I need to have purchased it earlier. I know that's a lot but wondered if anyone else has tried this to help recoup some of your deposit. I get caught in this all the time: book early and get great rates but then have to cancel because something unforeseen comes up!

Thanks for all the info! I could see the advantage on port days and even disembarkation day being on the lower decks. We do like to be close to the Lido deck so we can take the stairs instead of fighting for elevators. I love the balcony but really don't spend that much time out there time wise. I read online last night that some people really like interior on the Lido Deck but not sure I want to have a cabin for 7 days with no window at all (for me personally). I will try to make sure we aren't below a noisy area if possible. Last summer we had an Aft Balcony on Valor which was so nice EXCEPT it was under the pool area which would be loud in the morning and late at night when chairs were being drug around. I think my main hesitation is that Deck 1 and 2 seems so low on the ship. I do like walking the halls during my cruises to get exercise, see door decor and just generally see what the ships looks like on each deck so I know it's still nice on Deck 1 and 2. I will think on it a little longer and then work on booking something and will keep in mind it's a cruise, we will have fun regardless! haha

Looking for your thoughts on a Deck 2 Ocean View cabin on the Liberty......... We have only stayed in a balcony cabin on Deck 6-8 on the Vista, Valor and Dream, though our daughter and her friend stayed in an interior last summer and it was fine for them. We are looking to book a 7 day cruise this summer and for various reasons I'm trying to save money where we can to help with everyone's bottom dollar and to save for excursions so I'm looking at getting an Ocean View cabin and an interior on Deck 2. For those who have stayed in one at this level what are your thoughts? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks

We've spoiled her because now she wants to cruise for any reason possible! haha

Update: I just wanted to update on our July cruise I almost cancelled. I just want to say I'm very glad we didn't cancel! My daughter's best friend was able to go and those girls had a BLAST! They met some wonderful friends and didn't miss a beat all week! I think one of their favorite nights was the 80s deck party. They dressed up and had a blast right up front with our AMAZING cruise director Leon!! My daughter came back refreshed and feeling happy with who she is. Next cruise we won't put a boy's name on until we know for sure OR make sure it's not hard to change! hahaha We cruise again in March! YAY!

Thanks everyone!!!! After a long emotional day I finally broke down and called Carnival. It costs $250 for the name change to her best friend who went with us last summer on a cruise (nice young lady who's also single so I'm sure they will be fine). I also added the vacation protection for her because you never know what could happen so all told with taxes and such it was like $364. We will be getting 75% of the $250 back in future cruise credit, of course it's probably still in his darn name but it is what it is at this point. There's no way he was going regardless at this point. Live and learn. I tried to change the name online myself but couldn't because it's paid in full and is close to the sailing date. LibertyBella: Thanks for your extra kind words. My daughter is an honor student who graduated 7/115 kids and will be starting college in the Fall. She is our baby so we are also looking at an empty nest soon so I'm so glad we decided to continue on with our cruise for her and us.

I hate to even ask this on here and yes I will be calling Carnival once I figure out what to do but I just needed to vent/ask if this has happened to anyone else. Long story short we have a 7 day cruise coming up in 38 days, senior celebration for my daughter who graduated high school AND her boyfriend of 1.5 years. Yep, you guessed it they just broke up. And I mean the ugly kind where he was caught cheating on her while gaslighting her that he wanted to break up because she wasn't in a close walk with God like he is! Like we really liked this boy so we are all gut punched right now. So, we are either going to have to try and get a replacement which will require a name change which may effect our rate that we booked this under (50% off deal) or try to cancel and MAYBE at least get 75% in future cruise credit. I did buy Carnival's Protection Plan but this was booked under a deal and you know how those are. We love to cruise but I'm not sure this will wind up being the same fun trip all considered. Crazy thing is last summer we went on a cruise and she brought her best friend and they met a couple who were in this same situation and the boyfriend came with them because it couldn't be changed! My husband said this boy is not welcome to come! ha Anyone else had something stupid like this happen?

Thanks. I do have everyone's name and VIFP on my list of travel companions so that's a good start. I will wait closer to cruise time to call Carnival and confirm we will be seated together.

Just booked a family cruise last night for March 2024. We booked 3 cabins separately so our young adult kids can pay for their own cabin at their own pace. We all chose early dining and want to sit at the same table together. Should I call Carnival now to get that set in their system or should I wait closer to the actual sail date? Thanks!

My husband and I played on various slot machines each day of our recent 5 day cruise to see if we could get any offers. Nothing. Now we didn't play much at all, like $10 a day, but wanted to get our names in the system as someone that goes to the casino. A couple of days we spent more since we'd win extra and then play it all. Do you get these in special emails from Carnival? We get other special rate offers and reminders for upcoming cruises but not Casino Offers. Maybe one day......

Now I'm worried about losing luggage! haha My nephew recently went on a cruise and he didn't attach his tag well and had to go find his suitcase the first night. On our recent cruise, all 4 of us had a 12 pack of sodas, hubby and I each brought wine so I had that in a carry on bag, and both of our teen girls had backpacks. Going thru security and the endless lines to disembark was a nightmare. Especially thru security where the workers were literally yelling at people. We would have never made it with our actual suitcases too. haha I've got to come up with a better system to get our sodas on next time.....

My husband and I are currently on about day 8 of COVID (he's a little behind me) after our 6-27 through 7-2 cruise on the Valor. His case has been lighter than mine and I would say mine is worse than a cold/flu for sure, though I've never had the flu (50 years old). The worst part for me has been this shortness of breath that comes and goes; it's honestly unsettling at times. I was scheduled to have a long awaited 3 part sinus surgery this past week and I've had to reschedule it to the end of this month. I just pray I get back to normal breathing by then or it may be postponed even more. Yes, we could have gotten it anywhere at anytime but it's still not a fun sickness to have regardless of what variant we are on. Ugh

DrSea I agree. I will just pick the earliest time available from now on and if I get there later than my chosen time it won't be that big of a deal.....just as long as I get on! haha Waiting outside in never ending lines while carrying around packs of sodas, a carry on bag with 2 bottles of wine and Cpap machines wasn't fun to say the least!

Ok here's my update on our cruise: So we had 1-1:30 for boarding in New Orleans. Wouldn't you know it we experience no traffic and easily drive straight to the port parking deck! When I tip the luggage porter he points us to a premier parking spot and we get to the embarkation area super fast (like 11:30). That's when it all goes downhill. We've never been to the NOLA port and I must say compared to Galveston it was so confusing. There was very little signage and there were lost/confused passengers everywhere. There were huge lines (I know we are there early so I was prepared to wait), but what I wasn't expecting was the lack of directions and the rudeness of the Carnival port staff. Guests would get yelled at for being in the wrong line when they only way we knew where to be was by asking other guests. Come to find out everything was running behind and slow. It took forever to go through the boarding process and most of the staff didn't really seem to care or try to help things go faster. (not everyone but a large percentage of them) I guess it's just how things are most everywhere now days...... Anyway, we didn't even get on the ship until probably 2 so we did go straight to our room. After that everything was fine. Debarkation was better but guests still got yelled at for going the wrong way. haha Sorry that was so long but wanted to explain it some. My takeaway....if I had to do it over again I would have picked 11am and if we got there at 1 we would just load then. At least they would have let us start the process without yelling at us. haha. I didn't like the stress of driving straight to port and it made us tired when we got there so whenever possible we will come the night before like we do in Galveston. I don't know if it was a one time thing but we liked the Galveston port experiences much better, but that may be because they were preCovid. On the ship most everything was close to normal, except we could tell they are still short staffed (I sat through a Q&A and they said they still were) and it is very hard to understand the waiters in the main dining room through their accent and mask. Also I think our ship, the Valor, was pretty much at capacity. I pray when we cruise next summer masks will be gone. And the stress of the precruise Covid tests!

On our very first cruise (Valor out of Galveston on Memorial Day) we had FTTF and got on the ship very early. The hallway on our deck was closed off. There were a few other FTTF guests trying to figure out how to get to their cabin early as well and finally one of them just opened the doors and we went to find our cabins. Then on our second cruise we had 2 cabins with FTTF and only one was ready early so we put everything in that cabin. We did go eat and then relaxed in our cabin both times because I didn't find sitting with a bunch of people with their suitcases and cases of soda in the lido area to be fun. hahaha Next summer when we cruise it will be different because we will come the day before and will just plan to get there early and figure it out from there.....that is unless we find later to be fine too. HA